Page 29 of Swipe Right for Stardust

Reluctantly, I released her. “Let’s keep going.”

Vanessa nodded, a flush coloring her cheeks. As we continued on, I found my gaze drawn to her more and more. The way she problem-solved, adapting to each new challenge... it was captivating.

We made good time, working in tandem. When faced with a tangle of vines, I boosted Vanessa up so she could scout ahead. Her triumphant grin when she found a clear path sent warmth through me.

The vegetation grew stranger, more alien. Massive flowers with iridescent petals unfurled around us. One particularly vibrant bloom stood out - its stamen writhed with unsettling purpose.

“Fascinating,” I breathed, leaning closer to examine it.

“Zarnak, watch out!” Vanessa’s shout came a split second too late.

Vine-like tendrils whipped out, wrapping around my arm. I stumbled back, but the plant’s grip tightened. More vines lashed out, seeking purchase.

Vanessa sprang into action. She grabbed a fallen branch, using it to batter at the grasping tendrils. “Let him go, you overgrown weed!”

With a final, mighty swing, she severed the vines holding me. I stumbled free, heart pounding.

Vanessa dropped the branch, chest heaving. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, unable to speak. And then, to my surprise, I started to laugh.

Vanessa’s eyes widened, then she joined in. The absurdity of the situation, the sheer exhilaration of escape, overwhelmed us. We clung to each other, bodies shaking with the sheer ridiculousness of it all.

Vanessa’s hands rested on my chest, her face tilted up towards mine. The urge to kiss her again, to pull her close, was almost overwhelming.

“We... we should keep going,” I said, my voice rougher than I intended.

Vanessa nodded, stepping back. Was that disappointment I saw flicker across her face?

We pressed on until the jungle thinned, giving way to a rocky outcropping. And there, nestled in a protected grove, I saw them.

“The luminous orchids,” I breathed.

Their petals glowed with an otherworldly light, pulsing gently. The sight filled me with wonder, rekindling my passion for xenobiology. I longed to study them, to unlock their secrets.

But a more pressing concern presented itself. Two deep chasm separated us from the grove, at least twenty feet across.

“How are we going to get over there?” Vanessa asked, peering down into the darkness below.

I scanned the area, considering our options. A fallen tree spanned the first, narrower part of the gap, but it looked precarious at best. We could try to find another way around, but that would cost valuable time.

“We’ll have to chance the log,” I said. “I’ll go first, test its stability.”

Vanessa caught my arm. “Be careful.”

The intensity in her gaze stirred something within me. I nodded, squeezing her hand before stepping onto the makeshift bridge.

The log creaked ominously as I inched forward. Halfway across, it shifted slightly. I froze, heart pounding.

“Zarnak?” Vanessa called, worry evident in her voice.

“I’m alright,” I assured her. “Just... give me a moment.”

The memory of our kiss flashed through my mind, fueling my determination. I had to succeed, had to keep Vanessa safe.

With slow, careful movements, I made it to the other side. “It’s stable enough,” I called back. “Come on over.”

I stood at the edge of the second chasm, swallowing hard at the dizzying depth. Bioluminescent plants clung to the rocky walls, their eerie glow casting dancing shadows in the darkness below.

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